About Us

In the early 1800s, Alexander Hawthorn built one of New Castle's first inns at the southwestern corner of Mercer and North Streets. It was called the Exchange Hotel. It was not customary to paint wooden buildings at that time, but Mr. Hawthorn found some iron oxide based stain and painted his building. It had such a striking reddish purple hue that the town's people nicknamed it the Pokeberry Exchange, comparing it to wild pokeberry plant berries that were common in the area.

About 1852, Frederick Reinholdt replaced the Pokeberry Exchange with three brick buildings. Two of those building still stand today, including 41 N. Mercer Street which we have named the Pokeberry Exchange.

Who We Are

The Pokeberry Exchange is not easily defined. We are home to many things. As a walking tour company, we offer historic, haunted and nature tours in the city of New Castle. We are also a gift shop offering a variety of specialty gifts based on the themes of light, sound, history and nature. You'll find colorful lanterns, classical wind chimes, old fashioned toys, and colorful birdbaths. We offer a unique line of gift cards found only in New Castle. Our historic home cards bring back New Castle's Victorian times, our whimsical gnomes will make you smile, and our Ohm Cat's have a personality all their own. Last, but not least, we are home to Pokeberry Press, a micro-publisher interested in regional books both factual and fantastic.